A/N: Here we go again! This scene is a fleshed out version of the scene between Sam and Jack in the observation room in the SGC, just before Jacob's death.

It is assumed that all scenes I have not touched on went as per Threads.

Thanks for your reviews, please keep them coming!

Threads, Integrated - Chapter 4

Sam sighed continually as she watched the Tok'ra dignitaries pay their respects to her father. It really was amazing how many interesting people her father had met in his travels. All because of her. She had to force herself to remember that it was because of her that her father was still alive at this point. That it was because of her that her father had lived those extra years and seen and done those amazing things. She had to stop herself from wondering what on earth she'd do without him and instead tried to think about how close they had gotten since his blending. Those last few years had been the best for their relationship; she had finally gotten to know her father for the great man he was and not the heartless killer she had assumed him to be in her childhood. And he had obviously gotten to know her a great deal too.

How else could he have known just what to say about her personal life? She was shocked at how much her father had known about her feelings towards her CO and in truth, rather embarrassed. She found it interesting to note that her real father had given her the same advice as the father she had envisaged whilst on the Prometheus. She had to smile at that thought. She never thought she would know her father well enough to know what he might say to her.

Her mind wandered to his advice. Could she really still have everything? She doubted it. She couldn't keep her job and have Jack, although the latter seemed utterly impossible on its own. Of course Jack had a girlfriend. How stupid could she have been, to just think that he had been pining after her all this time, waiting for her to leave Pete so he could have her all to himself. Why on earth would he leave that door open? She didn't even have proof that he had any feelings for her anymore, although he did seem genuinely upset about her finding out about Kerry. Why didn't she just ask him, and get this whole damn thing over with?

Realising how insensitive she was being – thinking about her love life while her father was dying – she rolled her eyes and felt tears begin to roll down her face again. Could things possibly get any worse? She knew that she had to end it with Pete; just seeing Kerry had made her truly realise how much she couldn't let Jack go, her best friend was undoubtedly roaming the infinite, and her father was about to join him. She threw her face into her hands – how could any of this be happening? She looked at hr father once more and took in a deep breath. She had to stay strong. She couldn't just break down like this. She was a Colonel in the United States Airforce. She could deal with tragedy. People died every day in her line of work. These things couldn't be helped. But that thought didn't make her feel any better.

She heard footsteps approach her, but didn't bother to turn around. She knew who those sounds belonged to. She kept a sentimental chortle to herself as she thought about the ridiculousness of her condition. She could recognise General Jack O'Neill just from the rhythms of his swagger. Her nose was blocked because she had been crying, but she knew that if she could smell, she wouldn't have even needed to hear his footsteps. Jack O'Neill's aroma was so firmly imprinted in her sense-memory that she could recognise him instantly.

Despite herself, her heart rate soared. She was sure he hadn't forgotten their last confrontation and hoped that he wouldn't bring it up. One problem to deal with at a time, she thought. But he didn't mention it. He merely sat next to her and watched her father, something that Sam found extremely comforting. When he finally did speak, his voice was quiet and caring, unconcerned with other matters, only her.

"You ok?"

"Actually, I'm fine," she said, "Good, even, strange as that sounds. I thought I lost him four years ago. Since then, we've been closer than we ever were in my whole life. In a way, Selmak gave me the father I never thought I'd know." She smiled sadly. She was definitely miserable, but the initial shock had worn off a little and she knew that all she could do was appreciate the time she had spent with her father. She was surprisingly calm, and knew that having Jack there made her even more so.

She looked over to him to thank him and found his eyes stuck to hers. She knew that look. It was a look he only gave to her.

"C'me here," he said, putting his arm around her shoulders. Sam smiled and took his hand in hers. They sat silently for a moment, each finding comfort in the other.

"Thank you sir," Sam said finally.

"What for?" he asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the tranquillity of the moment.

"For being here with me."

Jack craned his head up to look at her. His eyes bore into hers with a desperation for her to understand.

"Always," he said. There was a moment of understanding between them. Sam rested her head back on his shoulder and smiled. Maybe they she couldn't have everything she wanted. But for that moment, he was with her and always would be, and that was all that mattered.